Kim Woo-bin

Kim Woo-bin, born Kim Hyun-joong on July 16, 1989, is a South Korean actor and model. He originally entered the entertainment industry through fashion modeling before transitioning to acting with his debut in the drama series White Christmas. He earned wider recognition through supporting roles in television shows such as A Gentleman's Dignity before achieving his career breakthrough with the high-school dramas School 2013 and The Heirs. Over his career, he has appeared in hit feature films including Twenty and Master, as well as lead television roles.

His passion for modeling began during his high school years, leading to his debut as a runway model in 2009 at age twenty. He appeared in Seoul Fashion Week and various prêt-à-porter shows. As he began filming commercials, he studied acting under coach Moon Won-joo and discovered a strong enthusiasm for the craft. Adopting the stage name Kim Woo-bin, he made his screen debut in 2011 with the mystery series White Christmas and the cable comedy Vampire Idol. He followed these in 2012 with a supporting role in A Gentleman's Dignity and a guest appearance in To the Beautiful You.

Kim achieved widespread fame in 2013. His performance in the teen series School 2013 won him the Best New Actor award at the 2nd APAN Star Awards. Later that year, he featured in the popular drama The Heirs, which recorded strong viewership ratings locally and high streaming numbers in China, boosting his international popularity and commercial endorsements. In film, he starred in the blockbuster sequel Friend: The Great Legacy, earning favorable reviews for his depiction of a young gang member. During this period, he also hosted the music program M! Countdown from August 2013 to February 2014.

Following his breakout success, Kim expanded his film credits with the 2014 heist movie The Con Artists and the 2015 comedy Twenty. He also became the first East Asian model for Calvin Klein Watches + Jewelry. In 2016, he took on his first television lead role in the melodrama Uncontrollably Fond and co-starred in the successful crime action film Master. Although he was cast in the film Wiretap in 2017, the production was halted after he was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer in May of that year.

After taking a hiatus to undergo drug and radiation therapy, Kim completed his treatment and was exempted from military service. He made his screen return in 2022, starring in the sci-fi film Alienoid and the television series Our Blues and Black Knight. He later starred in the 2025 fantasy romantic comedy series Genie, Make a Wish.

Beyond his performance career, Kim has participated in various public roles and charitable causes. He served as an ambassador for Jeonju University, the Suwon Information Science Festival, CGV Arthouse, and the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. He has made multiple significant donations to disaster relief efforts, including wildfire recovery funds, as well as financial contributions to support medical treatment for hospitalized children and low-income patients. In his personal life, Kim began dating model-actress Shin Min-a in May 2015, and the couple married in December 2025 at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul.